SAINTS AT A GLANCE
	Ricky Williams
	Last year: 6-10, third place in NFC West Key returnees:: DL Joe Johnson (7 sacks); TE Cam Cleeland (54 receptions, 684 yards and 6 TDs); OL William Roaf; LB Mark Fields (6 sacks); S Sammy Knight (6 INTS) New faces: RB Ricky Williams (first-round pick); WR Eddie Kennison (Rams); OL Wally Williams (Ravens) New places: WR Sean Dawkins (Seahawks); QB Kerry Collins (Giants); DB Chad Cota (Colts); OL Andy McCollum (Rams) Watch out: Is Ricky Williams the real deal, or another Heisman Trophy-winner-turned-NFL bust? Better than '98: Offensive line expected to improve with addition of Wally Williams and if former No. 1 picks Chris Naeole and Kyle Turley step up a notch. Worse than '98: No major improvements were made in the secondary, which ranked dead last in the NFL last season. -- Scripps Howard News Service

Ditka -- called everything from irresponsible to a visionary after pushing for the biggest trade in franchise history -- subscribes to the following theory: If Williams can give the Saints the kind of rugged running attack Ditka had in Chicago with Walter Payton, opposing defenses will suddenly be on their heels. That means fewer third-and-long situations, longer drives and a steady dose of man-on-man coverages. With those odds, Ditka thinks his offense -- ranked 28th in the NFL in 1998 -- will go from anemic to potent nearly overnight.

"I'm old-fashioned," Ditka said. "If you're going to win in this league, you're going to have to run the ball. All we have to do is give (Williams) a chance, and he's going to make something happen. It's not too complicated, because all you have to do is watch him run. The more I watch him, the more I'm amazed."

Ditka also expects the powerhouse rookie to have a trickle-down effect on a defense that withered on the field while slipping from fourth in the league in '97 to 26th last year. Despite scoring a team-record nine touchdowns on defense, allowing big plays became commonplace, as nine opposing quarterbacks had more than 250 yards passing.

Williams missed the final three exhibition games with a sprained left ankle, and he could miss the first two regular-season contests. But if he eventually runs wild as Ditka expects, the rest of an average group on offense could suddenly look much better. It all sounds good in theory, and it's a formula that Ditka's old friend, Dan Reeves, rode to the Super Bowl in Atlanta last year.

But for the Saints to have their first winning record since '92, there is little room for error. That means no more major injuries, few turnovers and a healthy dose of good fortune. Those are steep demands over a 16-game season for a team without a proven quarterback. It will be interesting to see how much of an impact one player can make.

Here's a position-by-position look at New Orleans' roster:

Quarterbacks
With six starters over the last two years, this position has been a mess. Billy Joe Hobert returns after missing 15 games in '98 with a torn Achilles tendon. But Hobert's luck has gone from bad to worse. He was scratched from the preseason opener when he suffered a strained groin while warming up, and he missed the following game because of a death in his family. Then he fractured a rib in a preseason loss to Green Bay, but he was expected to be ready for the season opener.

		The Saints might have added Ricky Williams to the backfield, but their biggest issue is the passing game. They are still trying to find a quarterback. Who knows if they'll play all four -- Billy Joe Hobert, Billy Joe Tolliver, Danny Wuerffel or Jake Delhomme. And nobody has stepped to the forefront to claim the job. A realistic goal for the Saints would be a bid to get to .500 because they've had so many changes and injuries.

The Saints are sticking with Hobert because he is 3-2 as a starter in New Orleans, and Ditka's offense has looked its best under his command. If Hobert falters, however, Ditka won't hesitate to go with Billy Joe Tolliver. It could be argued that the Saints have a couple of good backups but lack a true No. 1 signalcaller. Ditka doesn't need Pro Bowl numbers; he wants leadership, toughness and mistake-free play. One thing is certain: A quarterback named Billy Joe will be behind center. Grade: D+

Running backs
Williams' stunning combination of power and speed will give the Saints a big-play weapon in the backfield that the rest of the offense can be built around. But he must stay healthy. Assuming he does for at least 14 games, he should give New Orleans its first 1,000-yard back in a decade.

The Saints lack a prototype fullback, but Aaron Craver has added 12 pounds of muscle in preparation for blocking duty. RB Wilmont Perry turned some heads last year and is penciled in as kick returner. RB Troy Davis is a Ditka favorite, while Lamar Smith is an enigma but likely will stick. Grade: A-

Receivers
The Saints traded a second-round pick to St. Louis for Eddie Kennison with the hope that he can revert to the form that made him a Pro Football Weekly All-Rookie selection in '96. Ditka plans to use Kennison to stretch the field as Willie Gault did in Chicago. Keith Poole will start opposite Kennison.

Andre Hastings, who has made spectacular catches look easy and routine grabs appear difficult while in New Orleans, will be the team's third wideout. The Saints plan to use Danan Hughes at wide receiver more than Kansas City did the last six seasons. The most productive receiver last year was TE Cam Cleeland, who led the team with 54 catches and six TDs, but he will be hard-pressed to duplicate those numbers with a bum Achilles tendon. Grade: C-

Offensive linemen
This group has the makings of the Saints' best line in years. OLT William Roaf has been voted to the last five Pro Bowls. The club signed free-agent OLG Wally Williams to a five-year, $18.5 million contract. Williams is expected to bring some veteran toughness to the trenches. C Jerry Fontenot is a battler who returns after missing most of '98 with a knee injury.

Two former No. 1 picks man the right side: ORG Chris Naeole and ORT Kyle Turley. Naeole struggled last year but has bulked up to 313 pounds. Turley should be a standout after spending most of his rookie year at guard. There is little proven depth after C Tom Ackerman. Grade: B+

Defensive linemen
This unit was the strength of the defense. Now it's an area where the team can ill afford another serious injury. DRT La'Roi Glover is a high-motor player who emerged from obscurity with a team-high 10 sacks in '98. DRE Joe Johnson, who made the Pro Bowl and was the team's best defensive player last season, was lost for the year after rupturing the patellar tendon in his right knee in practice in late August.

After posting double-digit sack totals each of the previous four seasons, DLT Wayne Martin had only three in '98. Feeling spry after offseason surgery on both knees, the 11th-year veteran vows to return to his former level. DE Jared Tomich is undersized, but Ditka loves his effort and tenacity. Brady Smith, Troy Wilson and Austin Robbins are capable reserves, with Smith likely to take over Johnson's spot. Grade: C+

Linebackers
Expect WLB Mark Fields to ascend to stardom the next two years. Deployed all over the field, Fields, one of the team's fastest players at 6-2, 244 pounds, is a wicked hitter and blitzer. When he knows what he's doing, he's an impact player.

Kevin Mitchell will be one of the few three-down middle linebackers in the league if he can stay healthy. He started '98 with 28 tackles in the first three games but was in and out after that with shoulder and knee injuries. Vinson Smith, 34, has replaced Keith Mitchell at strong-side 'backer. The Saints are willing to trade athleticism for experience in the quest for fewer breakdowns. Grade: C

Defensive backs
With the signings of CB Ashley Ambrose and FS Willie Clay, the secondary should improve. Ambrose is the Saints' best man-on-man defender, and he could cover the opponent's top receiver. CB Alex Molden has had his best camp since being a No. 1 pick in '96, and he realizes he needs to start justifying his draft status. CB Tyronne Drakeford likes to gamble, but he is a solid tackler.

Sammy Knight, who has 11 interceptions the last two seasons, moves to the SS spot to replace Chad Cota. At free safety is Rob Kelly, a former No. 2 pick who needs to improve his tackling. If Kelly disappoints, Clay gives the Saints an accomplished insurance policy. Expect Clay to push Kelly soon. Grade: C

Special teams
Doug Brien is a quality kicker. His only problem has been a lack of opportunity because of a punchless offense. Brien drilled 90.9 percent (20-of-22) of his FG attempts in '98, a club record. In search of greater hang time, the club released P Mark Royals and signed Tommy Barnhardt. Despite his struggles in St. Louis, Kennison remains a dangerous punt returner. Grade: B

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
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